Author Topic: What is the attraction? (Read 1448 times)

Bart Solo · « **on:** January 18, 2005, 03:04:20 AM »

I don't have any experience with NEF/H&R rifles. I notice you all have your own subcategory on this board. Looking around the net, I see that there are thousands of folks who are talking about NEF/H&R Rifles. I price them and they are just about the cheapest rifles going. They run from about $180 to $230 depending. There are lots of accessories available for them that run more. I have read a thread where some guy has taken a perfectly good 308 and modified it, spending several times the rifles worth in the process.

What is the deal? You guys seem to be pretty normal people. What is the attraction?

trader rob · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2005, 03:13:31 AM »

like curley on that city slicker movie. they know the one thing lol i have had half a dozen handis of various cal and i don't have a problem, i don't have a problem, i don't have a problem.......

jeff223 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2005, 03:18:14 AM »

its the pallet wood stocks that they use

i just cant be without them

i cant speak for everyone here but thats my reason

Mac11700 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2005, 03:31:01 AM »

The attraction is the rifle and then the comradery that soon follows when folks find us

Mac

Brett · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2005, 03:31:07 AM »

They are the Tinker Toy for big boys. They are inexpensive, strong and simple in design. Most shoot adequately out of the box to hunt with and are easy to work on if you want to extract more accuracy out of them. What more could one ask for in a center fire rifle?

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2005, 03:34:46 AM »

Now what standard are you using for "Normal"?

Fred, we might need some formulas and modern math here.

Ian

Duce · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2005, 03:45:08 AM »

Ron: There're several reason people enjoy thier Handi's, don't know if I can clearly explain it.

Economics is one, you can hardly buy more bang for the buck, and the quality is better than many of the low end imports.

Just being contrary, some people like going against the grain. For the longest time most magazine and publication classed Handi's as beginners guns and not to be taken seriously.

The challenge of taking game with a single shot and shooting good grps with a rifle that as many say isn't suppose to shoot that good. Do a search and check postal match results.

As far as I'm concerned there are many savy hunters here abouts that understand that minute of angle is great off the bench. In the field though it's nice to have rifle that will shoot minute of deer/coyote/groundhog/ect, while having the versitility with little effort be converted to a shotgun if you run into a bunch of squirrels/quail/rabbits.

Another point you,ve got a stock and trigger you are familar with and with a change of barrel go for bear or change and go for varmite.

There're more reasons I'm sure, but the one I like is that we're all just a bunch of tinker'ers that just can't leave things alone and have found an item that was just made to be tinkered with. Gotta Love'em :-D <>< Duce:

Duce · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2005, 03:48:39 AM »

Guys: I try to have a moment here and you all jump in ahead of me. :x Man I gotta Learn To Type: :-D <>< Duce:

MtJerry · « **Reply #8 on:** January 18, 2005, 04:02:50 AM »

I whole-heartedly agree with everything that has been written above and will add just my few thoughts:

1. Made in America

2. Reasonably priced

3. Coverts to other calibers easily

4. Easy to make do-it-yourself modification/fixes. (Remember when cars were that way and anyone could be a "shadetree mechanic?") You don't need a gunsmith for most of the mods.

5. One shot limit makes you think about your shot before you take it, and make you a better hunter.

6. Great tool for teaching children hunting skills, ethics - AND they have a gun they can pass on to their children!

7. They are just plain FUN TO SHOOT!!

Brett · « **Reply #9 on:** January 18, 2005, 04:31:17 AM »

:idea:

Psst... hey Ron, I don't know if words can adequately describe what it is we like about these guns.

You just got to go out and buy one for yourself and see what the addiction... :oops: ah... I mean attraction is. :mrgreen: :-D :-D :-D :wink:

mrlizzzard · « **Reply #10 on:** January 18, 2005, 04:56:48 AM »

It's the rare exotic wood ,plus the look on your buddies face when you say $150 ,made in USA and the .4570 barrel is only bout $100.And you can either baby them or carry them in the pick up bed and not have that guilty feeling.

All the serious stuff has been said,I'm just being silly but in my short time as an owner.This gun will go off,shoot straight expand to many guns and won't break the bank.What's not to like?
p.s.the company has a great customer service dep't

lizzzard

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** January 18, 2005, 05:44:41 AM »

:wink: :yeah: What they said and one more reason.... :grin:

http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/feb97money.html

Donaldo · « **Reply #12 on:** January 18, 2005, 06:12:54 AM »

Ron,
I am one of the unusual here. I only have one Handi Rifle. Have owned it about 1 year. Of all the rifles I own, about 8, if I remember, I like shooting this one best of all. It is also the only single shot I own. I have the 223 Ultra Varminter with the bull barrel. All my other rifles, after about 5-10 shots the barrel gets pretty hot, have to stop and let it cool. Now the 223 Handi, I just keep on shooting, after 20 plus rounds it is still not overly hot. Plus there is just something about breaking that thing open and sticking a new round in the chamber and cocking the hammer. You might really want to stay away from them, they can be addictive, so take care, you have been warned. In fact I think the Surgeon General should require a notice on the box, "May be Habit Forming" :-D :-D :-D

Mac11700 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 18, 2005, 07:54:59 AM »

Quote

Perhaps he was not as refined as might have been expected, but his underlying qualities allowed a performance that nobody saw through. That is the case with the Harrington & Richardson Ultra Rifle.

That is a great discription.....Thanks Quick

Mac

Bart Solo · « **Reply #14 on:** January 18, 2005, 09:10:49 AM »

Thanks for the replies. I guess the H&R rifle is a low budget passion the wife won't even notice. From all I hear they shoot great.

How easy is it to swap barrels?

One more question, which should I buy first? I have been looking for a .223 to play with, or should I buy the 308? Which barrel 22 inch or 24 for the .223?

aulrich · « **Reply #15 on:** January 18, 2005, 09:40:41 AM »

How fast?

1. One screw
2. Remove the fore end by pulling down.
3. Open action and lift out the barrel
4. Attach barrel (not unlike hanging up a coat) and close action
5. Install forend
6. One screw

Your done in 30 seconds or so.

Fred M · « **Reply #16 on:** January 18, 2005, 09:45:51 AM »

Haywire Haywood.
The rifle is so simple, but it creates such a complex analogy it is mind boggling. It really got under my skin. If I had my own machine shop I would turn it into a real piece of shooting art by machining every part with precision and I would do that just for the fun of it.

The potentials are there.

Stan in SC · « **Reply #17 on:** January 18, 2005, 09:52:21 AM »

Swapping barrels takes about 4 minutes.Unscrew the screw holding the forearm ,take off the forearm,open the action,take off the barrel,put on a new barrel,close the action,put the forend back on and screw the screw back in.It is so easy that my dog could do it if he had thumbs.
I personally like the feeling of a basic rifle.If you look at it,all rifles are single shots excepting semi-automatics.So with a handi you just carry a few shells in your pocket instead of stuck in a magazine in the rifle.That means you have less mechanism to lug around.
You learn,as mentioned previously,to make the first shot more careful.
The versatility of swapping barrels is a definite plus.Try that with a Remchester.
They are very accurate.
The 45/70 is a real hoot to shoot.It will make you forget your name and rip your clothes off all at the same time.
It is kinda like sex..it just feels good!

Brett · « **Reply #18 on:** January 18, 2005, 09:57:51 AM »

For safety & warranty reasons it's advised that new barrels be initially fit to your receiver by the factory. After that switching from one barrel to another is a breeze and goes something like this:

Make sure your gun is unloaded. With the action closed, remove forearm retaining screw and forearm from the barrel. Next open the action and tip the barrel off of the receiver. Position desired barrel so that the rounded notch at the front of the barrel lug mates with the hinge pin in the receiver. Close the action and replace forearm and retaining screw. That's it, you're ready to go.

It takes about as much time to swap barrels as it took you to read the above procedure. Since sites or scopes are mounted to the barrel not the receiver it is usually unnecessary to resite-in after swapping barrels

Brett · « **Reply #19 on:** January 18, 2005, 10:00:36 AM »

Darn... I have to learn to type faster. :twisted: Oh well, you get the point, it's very easy.

hellacatcher · « **Reply #20 on:** January 18, 2005, 11:40:19 AM »

I was raised with break barrel shot guns, these are like going back home.

:-D

Duce · « **Reply #21 on:** January 18, 2005, 11:50:44 AM »

Ron: One attraction that should be mentioned, is this forum. Here in lies the biggest collection of serious shooters to casual plinkers,hunters to paper punchers, and everything in between. All willing to do their best to explain, troubleshoot anything they can, to help a fellar.

There have been the occasional detractor, but then not every body is willing to live with some of the idiosyncrasies with shooting something that isn't a bolt gun.

I'd start with a .223 barrel heavy if your a paper puncher, standard if you into plinking and varmite hunting. Then once you've got that sorted out and down you can add a slug barrel for deer or centerfire, if allowed, then a turkey barrel, then if you're into long range black powder cartridge matches, how about a Buffalo Classic, or a classic shotgun barrel with a rib for upland game, or the elusive 30/30 just because they're fun arrrgghh! What am I trying to get you into!!!! Yes A .223 that's it a .223 nothing more. I Can Quit Anytime I Want, Yes That's It, Anytime I want :eek: :eek: :-D :-D <>< Duce:

jeff223 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 18, 2005, 12:10:59 PM »

:-D :-D WHAT ABOUT THE PALLET WOOD :-D :-D

im i the only one that likes the pallet wood? :lol:

Mitch in MI · « **Reply #23 on:** January 18, 2005, 03:11:32 PM »

This thread sums it up:
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=52517

MSP Ret · « **Reply #24 on:** January 18, 2005, 03:22:24 PM »

:-D :-D Pallet wood is gooooood for what ails you!!! :-D :-D

P.S., so I agree with Jeff!! :grin:

James B · « **Reply #25 on:** January 18, 2005, 03:38:30 PM »

Very good explainations from several fellow addicts. But hold on just a minute RON. I have been called a lot of things in my day BUT NORMAL?

?? Thats going a bit far. :wink:

Markus · « **Reply #26 on:** January 18, 2005, 04:58:15 PM »

Buy just one and you'll see. I haven't even started on the rifles yet and my H&R /NEF count is at 9. Hellacatcher hit the nail on the head. It's what I started out with and shooting them again is like going home. They are one of the few things these days that is both inexpensive and reliable. A whole collection cost less than a single high end gun

Mac11700 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 18, 2005, 08:04:07 PM »

I guess what everyone is saying Ron..." Where can you get so much...for so little..? "

Mac

HutchHandiMan · « **Reply #28 on:** January 19, 2005, 04:36:11 AM »

I/we got into using Handis cause I am right handed and my wife is a lefty...this waay we can both shoot and the shells do not eject across her face as I am too cheap to buy her a lefty gun that I can not shoot.

Mulegunner · « **Reply #29 on:** January 19, 2005, 01:45:04 PM »

I own the 45-70 Handi. There is just something about loading this big cartridge on to a time firing and having the shell spit out behind you. The whole thing just screams "Buffalo"! You should see the looks I get when hunting bears with the "Gang". Most start off with a smirk...but by the end of day those other rifles are getting heavy.......the brush is too thick for the 3 - 2,000x scopes and the Handi starts looking real good. One guy even asked me if it was some kind of "Kit Gun"... :-D